The 1850 United States elections occurred part way through Whig President Millard Fillmore's term, during the Second Party System. Fillmore (1800-1874, served 1850-1853), had become 13th president on July 9, 1850, upon the death of his 12th brief predecessor, former U.S. Army General Zachary Taylor (1784-1850, served 1849-1850). Members of the 32nd United States Congress were also chosen in this election. Democrats kept control of both houses of the Congress of the United States.
| ← 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 → Midterm elections | |
| Incumbent president | Millard Fillmore (Whig) |
|---|---|
| Next Congress | 32nd |
| Senate elections | |
| Overall control | Democratic hold |
| Seats contested | 21 of 62 seats[1] |
| Net seat change | Democratic -2[2] |
| House elections | |
| Overall control | Democratic hold |
| Seats contested | All 233 voting seats |
| Net seat change | Democratic +7[2] |
In the House, Democrats won several seats from the Whigs, building on their continued control of the chamber. Several supporters of the Georgia Platform also won election as Unionists.[3]
In the Senate, Whigs lost a small number of seats to Democrats and the minor Free Soil Party. Democrats however retained a strong majority.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Not counting special elections.
- ^ a b Congressional seat gain figures only reflect the results of the regularly-scheduled elections, and do not take special elections into account.
- ^ "Party Divisions of the House of Representatives". United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "Party Division in the Senate, 1789-Present". United States Senate. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
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